Central shuts down Longmeadow, posts 27-0 win over Longmeadow in Western Mass. Division I Super Bowl

Central's Aaron Owens gets tackled by a Longmeadow player during the WMass Division I Super Bowl.

WESTFIELD – Big plays.

Big stage.

And no small accomplishment.

The Central High School football team used four big plays and a bend-but-not-break defense to post a 27-0 win over Longmeadow in the Western Massachusetts Division I Super Bowl Saturday at Westfield State University.

“This is a great accomplishment,” Central coach Valdamar Brower said. “It’s all about the team and Central family. Everyone contributed to this. It’s a true team championship.”

No. 1 Central finished at 12-1, winning its first Super Bowl title since 2001.

“We believed in our system and we knew we had to establish ourselves in the second half,” said Central senior Brian Rivas. “And it’s a lot sweeter coming against Longmeadow.”

Central had dropped the last two Super Bowls to Longmeadow, losing late in 2010 and convincingly last year at Gillette Stadium.

“We had one drive and it was to get this ring,” Central senior Shawn Lockett said. “It’s a good rivalry and it feels good to win this after all these years.”

Central overcame offensive struggles in the first half, with Cody Williams hobbled by an ankle injury and three turnovers. Longmeadow’s Joseph Lee and Mike Sell made interceptions and Austin Sierra recovered a fumble.

The Golden Eagles did not cross midfield during the first 33 minutes, but scored on its first play there – a 48-yard pass from Cody Williams to Brian Rivas with 7:14 left in the third.

Central forced a punt, and Ju’an Williams returned it 68 yards for a score less than three minutes later.

“Coach told us at halftime to stay hungry and stay humble,” Lockett said.

Touchdown runs by DeQuon Clemons (32 yards) and Aaron Owens (48) in the final six minutes iced it.

Central’s defense did not allow a Longmeadow first down after halftime, and only two plays went for longer than 13 yards.

Longmeadow held the edge in play in a scoreless first half, but had nothing to show for it.

The Lancers drove inside the Central 25-yard line four times, each time – four on downs, one on an interception – coming up empty.

Central overcame four turnovers and nine penalties, while Longmeadow turned it over three times and was whistled for 10 penalties.

Central’s last Super Bowl title (2001) was its fifth championship in nine years. The Golden Eagles entered the game with a 10-game winning streak, dating back to a September loss to the state’s then-No. 1 Everett.

“This means everything to us,” Brower said. “And we’re trying to move on from the Longmeadow thing. We have to build on this now.”

Longmeadow had won 13 Super Bowl titles, including 11 in the previous 15 seasons. The Lancers won six of their previous seven title games, the only blemish being a loss to West Springfield in 2009.